“All around the world, something's going on about Jesus' love.It's amazing! He loves us all so much with a love so strong.No one else could love us more. It's amazing!We're all a little different in many different ways.No matter where we come from God loves us the same.None of us is perfect so he forgives our sin. Jesus is our Savior and his love will never end.”

Those are the lyrics to a song titled “All Around the World,” the theme song for our 2014 Vacation Bible School program. VBS was held at the Oakland UMC July 20 – 24. This year the theme was

“Weird Animals – Where Jesus' Love Is One -of -a -Kind.”

Daily, the children learned a Bible point that corresponded to a Bible story and a key Bible verse. For example on Monday evening, the Bible point was Even when you're left out...Jesus loves you! The Bible story was Jesus heals ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19) and the key Bible verse was, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

Throughout the week the children were encouraged to finish a Bible point by shouting “Jesus loves you!”Even when you're left out.....Jesus loves you!

Even though you're different....Jesus loves you!

Even though you do wrong.....Jesus loves you!

Even when you're afraid.....Jesus loves you!

As I thought about the Bible points and the lyrics to the songs the children learned during their time at VBS, I though those lyrics/Bible points are not only good lessons for our children, they are good lessons for adults, as well. Even as adults we sometimes feel left out, different, afraid, and yes, we still make mistakes and need God's forgiveness.

May you always have the assurance in your heart, that no matter what......Jesus loves you!

The 2014 Annual session of the Iowa Conference formally opened on Saturday, June 7, at 9:30 am. “Imagine: A Faithful Church – A Healthy World” was the theme. I would like to share with you some of the highlights of this year's Conference. Excerpt from Bishop Trimble's Episcopal Address – We Are Family “Do you know why we are here,” asked Bishop Julius Calvin Trimble as he began his Episcopal Address. “We are here because Jesus is Lord! This is our annual Christian Conference, our big family meeting in Iowa. We are here because we are family; and when we gather as family, God is always with us, stirring our imagination, moving our hearts and freeing our lives from the bondage of our sins and fears.” “Our strength and source of power as a church is not our budget or our stated beliefs, but in what God has done and Jesus has promised to continue to do through us. The work of the Holy Spirit is everywhere and for everyone.” Quoting the Common English Bible, vs. 26, the Bishop said: From one person God created every human nation to live on the whole earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands. “We are one family. We are his offspring.” “We can imagine a faithful church at its best when people on the outside can't wait to come in and experience radical hospitality and meaningful, moving worship; and people on the inside can't wait to get out to share the love of Jesus in neighborhoods all over the world.” “As a bishop of the church, privileged to serve in Iowa, I am going to pray, preach and push, as hard as I can, to promote the unity of the church.” When we get to heaven, there won't be a section for different religious denominations and political ideologies.” “We are family,” he concluded “Let it be so.”Imagine No Malaria Excites the Conference Iowa Field Coordinator for Imagine No Malaria, Rev. Katie Dawson, began her address of the Conference by detailing the 2010 statistics of exposure to and death from malaria. At that time one million people were dying each year. “We decided that is unacceptable,” Rev. Dawson said. “And so we decided to do something about it.” Imagine No Malaria was established in the Iowa Annual Conference in 2012 with the goal of raising $2 million by 2015 to fight malaria deaths in Africa through communication, education, treatment and prevention. Rev. Dawson displayed a map of churches in the Iowa Annual Conference that have participated in Imagine No Malaria (the Oakland UMC was one of those churches -thank you for giving to this mission). The tally for Imagine No Malaria Iowa as of Rev. Dawson's report was $1,956,304. “That's 195,630 lives saved,” she said. *At 2:45 pm in the Monday afternoon session (after taking an offering at the Conference for Imagine No Malaria) Rev. Dawson announced the new total topped 2 million -$2,009,907.Sunday Ordering of Ministry Service The service for the Ordering of Ministry for the 2014 Annual Conference Session celebrated the recognition, commission and ordination of 26 individuals (Congratulations to Rev. Brody Tubaugh, Pastor of Carson and Mt. Hope United Methodist Churches. Rev. Tubaugh was ordained as an elder during this special service). Bishop Linda Lee, Bishop-in-residence at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, offered the sermon for the service .

Excerpt from Bishop Linda Lee's Sermon “We honor that day when the comforter Jesus promised and the power he told the disciples to wait for, were poured out into the world.” “The world is in need today of undeniable verification that God is indeed in our midst and that God's power is still at work.” “We are living at a time when a new depth of witness to the power of God's presence in the work is deeply necessary. There is hope that the church will be a place where people work together even when they disagree or have different cultural backgrounds or different theological understandings. It's important to hold on to hope for what God is doing and about to do in and through us.” “We are called to pour out our gifts because in doing so the power of God is made known and people hear and understand in their own language. They understand what is possible for them, for their loved ones, for all people. This is what Jesus did. He poured out all he had.” “Pour out the gifts God has given you. Don't worry about trying to do it like anybody else. Pour out your praise and your love to God, and others will be inspired to stand up and to offer their little light to the world.” “Your are the light of the world. Pour it out! Let it shine! This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.” Thank you to Dick Merkle, Lay Delegate to IAC, and Louise for attending IAC. If you would like to read more about the 2014 IAC and/or read the sermons in their entirety, please go to iaumc.org. Blessings,

I recently reread an article entitled “Back to Our Basics: Recapturing Principles of Evangelism Espoused by John Wesley.” The article was written by Dr. Wesley S. K. Daniel, former Director of Evangelism and International Church Development at the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship. The article caught my attention, in part, because it was about the unique contributions John Wesley, founder of Methodism, made to the church. But mostly it caught my attention because it serves as a reminder to us, the children of God, what we are to be about. Following is an excerpt from the article by Daniel:

“For Wesley, proclaiming the Good News and making new disciples was an imperative task; he did it with a sense of urgency. On one occasion, when he was teaching his lay preachers, he said '...you have nothing to do but save souls....Therefore, spend and be spent in this work....'For Wesley and his followers, 'saving souls' for Jesus Christ was at the heart of his ministry. Wesley possessed a deep and sincere passion to share the transforming power of the gospel, preaching the message of conversion unashamedly to the rich, the poor, and the downcast over and over again wherever he went.”In Matthew 28:19, we read, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,” and in Mark 16:15, it is written “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.” I have heard the sharing of the Good News, the message of salvation, referred to as a life-saving knowledge. And that it is! I challenge you in the weeks ahead to think about reaching out to someone who has not heard the Gospel Message of salvation. Ask God to lead you to those people who need you to share your faith with them. Be assured- God will help you. “I can do all things in Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). I echo the words of John Wesley, “We cannot, with a good conscience, neglect the present opportunity of saving souls while we live!!”Do you remember the song “This Little Light of Mine”? That song is based on the scriptures in Matthew 5:14-16 - “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”In the Message Bible Matthew 5:14, it says, “God is not a secret to be kept.” God is a treasure to be shared!!May it be so for us all.And All God's Children Said,“Amen.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, You have probably heard the saying, “There are only two things you can be sure of – death and taxes. Actually that isn't quite true. There are more things we can be sure of -like the changing of the seasons. And, yes, this winter has gone on far too long, but we know eventually spring will arrive. Soon the days will be warmer, the snow will stop flying, the birds will begin singing, the flowers will start budding, and the crops will get planted. It's just that when we have to wait for something ( like the arrival of spring) longer than we had planned, we can get discouraged and even say things like, “I don't think spring will ever come.” Well, sometimes, we also feel that way when we have to wait on God. When God calls us to wait for an answer to prayer, we can get discouraged. We might even say things like, “I don't think God is ever going to answer me.” God understands our tendency to become impatient and discouraged when we are called to wait, so God offers Words of hope and encouragement, beautiful Words like- “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” (Lamentations 3:25) This month we celebrate Easter. When Jesus died on the cross, the disciples thought it was all over. They had waited three years for their Lord to turn things around - to free the oppressed and save the lost. And now, all was lost, or so they thought. The disciples lost hope. It happens to all of us sometimes, and that is why we need to always remember the Good News of Easter morning – sorrow turned to joy, despair turned to hope, death turned to life everlasting. Always remember :1) For which reason, because we have righteousness through faith, let us be at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; 2) Through whom, in the same way, we have been able by faith to come to this grace in which we now are; and let us have joy in hope of the glory of God. 3) And not only so, but let us have joy in our troubles: in the knowledge that trouble gives us the power of waiting; 4) And waiting gives experience; and experience, hope: 5) And hope does not put to shame; because our hearts are full of the love of God through the Holy Spirit which is given to us. (Romans 5:1-5) Have a Blessed Easter, Pastor Karen

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,Small Groups! Small Groups! Small Groups! It just seems like you can’t avoid them – that is if you want to be intentional about growing in your faith. I can’t think of a faith development resource I have consulted in the last five years that didn’t list participation in small groups as a way of growing in our faith.Robert Schnase, in his book Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, writes the following about participation in small groups:“Vibrant, fruitful, growing congregations practice intentional Faith Development. From the first generation of Christians to the earliest Methodists to the youngest generations of faithful members today, the followers of Jesus mature in faith by learning together in community. Churches that practice intentional Faith Development offer high quality learning experiences that help people understand Scripture, faith, and life in the supportive nurture of caring relationships. Sunday School classes, Bible studies, short-term topical studies, support groups that apply faith to particular life challenges, children’s church, Vacation Bible School, United Methodist Women, camps, retreats, and youth fellowship groups are only a few of the countless ways by w\which churches help people probe God’s will for their lives and for the world, and bring people together to strengthen the Body of Christ by building friendships and relationships. Christian disciples strive to develop faith and grow in Christ-likeness through study and learning, and God is best able to form disciples when people do this together and not by themselves.”You may have participated in or are currently participating in one or more of the following small groups held at the Oakland UMC:

Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University Classes

Date Night Challenge

Advent Bible Studies

Lenten Bible Studies

Youth Fellowship

Sunday School Classes

Vacation Bible School

The Life Ready Woman

52 Things Kids Need From a Mom

Or, maybe you participate in a small group that meets in the home.Coming in March/April are more opportunities for you to participate in a small group. Such as:

Made to Crave (will begin on Wednesday, March 12, more info about class in this newsletter)

The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5. Lent is a season of 40 week days and six Sundays and ends on Holy Saturday. Lent is an invitation to be with Jesus, to seek his face, and enjoy his presence. I encourage yon to make the Lenten season a time to deepen your relationship with our Lord and Savior. I’ve heard participating in a small group just might be the way to do that!And All God’s Children Said, “Amen.”Blessings, Pastor Karen

When you go to the Iowa United Methodist web page (www.iaumc.org) at the very top of the page are listed the links to: Log in, Districts, Staff, Find a Church, Clergy/Laity, and the dreaded - Forms. When you click on Forms you are taken to a page that has no less than 24 Form Types. Even the church is not given a reprieve when it comes to completing the required forms. However, there is one form I actually enjoy completing. The form I am referring to is the Rainbow Covenant Report Form. This is where all the yearly mission work of the church is recorded.

The form is divided into three kinds of mission work: First Mile Giving, Second Mile Giving, and Third Mile Giving. First Mile Giving occurs when a church's apportionments are paid in full. Second Mile Giving includes the Six Special Sunday Offerings we take (such as Human Relations Day, One Great Hour of Sharing, World Communion Sunday) and other missions we support during the year. The various Second Mile Givings are categorized by colors, hence the name of the form, the Rainbow Covenant Form.

Purple is the color of our Six Special Offerings. The other colors are indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. Some of our other missions that are listed under the previously mentioned colors are:

Builders Call

Latino Center

Layettes

Heifer Project

Habitat for Humanity

Imagine No Malaria

The third kind of mission work, Third Mile Giving, includes missionary salary support and local giving. In 2013, we financially supported the missionary, Larry Kies. Our local giving included the following:

Aid & Assistance

Soles for Souls

Shoe Box Angels

Ecumenical Youth Group

Angel Tree Gifts

This is not an all inclusive list of the missions you have supported this year. The Rainbow Covenant Form Report is not due until February 1 (why rush, right?). Hopefully by then it will be complete. But the Good News is this report reveals that you are a missional church. You have heard the call of God to share what you have been given with others. This is one form it is a joy to complete!

Thank you for giving. Your giving does make a difference in the lives of countless people. You are proof of the scriptural truth as written in 2 Corinthians:

"And God, who supplies seed for the sower and bread to eat, will also supply you with all the seed you need and will make it grow and produce a rich harvest from your generosity. He will always make you rich enough to be generous at all times, so that many will thank God for your gifts, which they receive from us. For this service you perform not only meets the needs of God's people, but also produces an outpouring of gratitude to God. And because of the proof which this service of yours brings, many will give glory to God for your loyalty to the gospel of Christ, which you profess, and for your generosity in sharing with them and everyone else." (2 Corinthians 9:10-13)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,As I was thinking about a new year rapidly approaching, I realized it is time to get out my 2014 United Methodist Calendar & Workbook, my daily planner. It is hard for me to stay focused in the present. I find myself looking ahead, always making plans for tomorrow, next week, next month. I think many of us do this to some extent. And although sometimes our busy schedules almost demand we plan ahead, I hope we don't take on the worries of those future days, as well. Do you know the song, One Day at A Time Sweet Jesus? I don't know why, but as I was thinking of what to write for the January 2014 Newsletter, that song came to mind. So I went online to refresh my memory about the lyrics of the song. The chorus reads,

One day at a time sweet JesusThat's all I'm asking from you.Just give me the strengthTo do everyday what I have to do.Yesterday's gone sweet JesusAnd tomorrow may never be mine.Lord help me today, show me the wayOne day at a time.

When you think about it, living life one day at a time and asking Jesus for strength for today, is really a good way to begin our new year. And it is also scriptural. Matthew 6:34 reads, “So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings” (Good News Translation). The Message Bible says it this way, “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Aren't those blessed words to live by!

Corrie ten Boom, Holocaust survivor, is quoted as saying, “Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength – carrying two days at once. It is moving tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” I pray we will all advance into the new year trusting all of our days to God, and not miss out on the joy of the present moment because we are worrying about what tomorrow may bring. And always remembering

“God is our shelter and strength, a very present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea,though its waters roar and foam,though the mountains tremble with its tumult.The Lord of hosts is with us;the God of Jacob is our refuge”(Psalm 46:1-3, 7).

Wishing you a very Blessed New Year and God's gifts of Hope, Love, Joy, & Peace

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,Several years ago a friend shared the following story with me (author unknown). I came across the story this past week. As I read it again, I remembered why I had saved the printed copy I had been given. It has a message for all of us. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Wishing you a very Blessed Merry Christmas!

In Christ's Love,

Pastor Karen

The Spirit of Christmas

Once upon a time in a community much like our own town, there was an old man who lived alone. His neighbors and his fellow workers thought of him as a crusty old sort of hard-nose who seldom smiled except in sarcasm. He'd been married once, but his wife died early on and people who remembered say he'd never been the same since.

Of course, there were people all around him, where he worked and lived, but inside, this old man was all alone. He often thought, “There's not a single person in the whole world who loves me.” At Thanksgiving, no one invited him for turkey. On Halloween, the kids tee-peed his bushes and trees even when he treated them. No one sent him Christmas presents or remembered his birthday.

Then one late December forenoon, something happened that changed his life and the lives of many people in his town. He received a Christmas card.

Actually, the whole thing was a very big mistake. A young woman who lived down the street intended to send the card to her boyfriend, but she put down the wrong house number. And so it came to the lonely old man. The envelope simply said, “To my favorite person, 213 2nd St., City.” When the old man opened the card, he saw the words, “Merry Christmas, I love you.” signed, “Guess Who?” Suddenly tears came to his old eyes...his heart surged...and he thought to himself, “Finally, someone loves me.”

Not sure who has sent the card, he did what you might consider to be a strange thing. He went downtown. And he bought Christmas cards – hundreds of Christmas cards.

So that he would not miss that special somebody (who was really that girl down the street, you remember), this old man spent many late nights in front of his fireplace addressing Christmas cards to send to everyone he could think of: all his neighbors, fellow workers, janitors in his building, folks in his church, people in his old high school class; and the lonely man signed all the cards; “....And I love you too!” - knowing for sure that the right person would understand.

When all these people received the old man's cards in the mail signed, “And I love you too!” they all hurried out and bought all the Christmas cards they could find, because, you see, many of them were just as lonely as the old man. Many thought that no one in the world loved them either. And when that card came which said “And I love you too!” they decided to send one to everyone they knew so that someone special would not be missed, even though by now Christmas had come and gone.

Days ran into weeks, and weeks ran into months. People all over the community where the lonely man lived were so involved with his mighty chain of Christmas cards with greetings on them that they closed the courts (no one had time to fuss or be bad), people smiled at each other all the time (not sure of who might be their loved one), old ladies helped children across the street, flowers grew in garbage cans, the penitentiary was closed (no business).

As for the lonely old man, he became the jolliest man the community had ever seen. He lived a long and happy life because his mailbox, like everyone's in his neighborhood and in his town, was always stuffed with Christmas card that told greetings of love.

A little piece of fantasy, to be sure, something for our children. But tucked away in there is a message for all of us. A message that had its beginning on that night so long ago, whose events we will always come together and celebrate. And that message, deep from the heart of God is this: “Merry Christmas my people. I love you.”

And what a way to tell us. God, there in Jesus Christ at Bethlehem in the manger where Joseph could tickle his toes and smelly shepherds could breathe their germs on him and Mary could shake her head and smile. And from that most humble of beginnings with a little crying and cooing and gurgling of a newborn, God's message has come tumbling and rolling down through the centuries, touching the hearts of millions of people throughout the world: “Merry Christmas, my people, I love you,”

Let this Christmas become a time when we open ourselves up to share the greatest gifts we have been given – the gift of Jesus who is love. For Christmas reminds us of that message that will melt the coldest heart and comfort the loneliest and most fearful person:

“Merry Christmas, my children, I love you.”

On your feet now – applaud God!Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourself into his presence.Know this: God is God, and God, God.He made us; we didn't make him.We're his people, his well-tended sheep.Enter with the password: “Thank you!”Make yourselves at home, talking praise.Thank him. Worship him.For God is sheer beauty, all generous in love,loyal always and ever.

Psalm 100

These particular words of “instruction” come from the The Message, the Bible in Contemporary Language. Although we are more familiar with the way most translations begin Psalm 100 - Make a joyful noise to the Lord all the earth.Worship the Lord with gladness; I really do like the image of standing up and applauding God. Certainly we have much to applaud God for! We are blessed to serve a God who loves us beyond measure. We are blessed that through the life of Jesus we have come to know the God who created us and loves us unconditionally. We are blessed that through the Spirit of God we can be assured of God's forgiveness for us. We are blessed that we can come before God at anytime and anywhere to share our deepest thoughts. We are blessed that while we are applauding God for all he has done, is doing, and will do, God is applauding us simply because we are. When was the last time you stood on your feet, looked to the heavens, clapped your hands, and shouted in your loudest voice, “Yea, God!” Heaven knows our Creator deserves it! Have a Blessed Thankful Thanksgiving! And All God's Children Said, “Amen.”

Thank You

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Thank you for the gift cards you gave to me. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Jerry and I will most certainly enjoy dining out. Thank you for your love and support!

A while back I came across a Chinese Proverb about happiness that I have not forgotten. The Proverb states,

If you want happiness for an hour – take a nap. If you want happiness for a day – go fishing. If you want happiness for a month - get a haircut. If you want happiness for a year – inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime- help someone else.

While I am not convinced about the truth of all of the above statements, I definitely agree with the last one- If you want happiness for a lifetime – help someone else.

Jesus shared that same message with us in his Sermon on the Mount as recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Jesus' teachings on true happiness are called the Beatitudes. Jesus teaches, “Blessed or happy are those who are merciful, those who show mercy- those who help people in need by giving of their time, talents, and resources.

And it seems that even the health community has discovered this truth. Studies have shown that there are definite emotional benefits that come from giving, such as: increased self-acceptance, stronger feelings of personal satisfaction, reduced inner stress and conflict, enhanced compassion, empathy sensitivity to others. And there are even physical benefits that come from giving, such as: enhanced functioning of the immune system, improved cardiovascular circulation, healthier sleep, decreased metabolic rate. But the greatest benefit that comes from giving is spiritual. Giving of our time, talents, and resources is a way to grow closer to God.

As a Pastor, in the past I have debated as to where to put the offering in the order of the worship service. Some Pastors take an offering before the sermon, others, like myself, take the offering following the sermon. At one point in my ministry, I decided I would consult the experts so I went to the Book of Discipline of the UMC. I read that the offering, our giving, is in response to hearing the Good News, the Word of God.

Hopefully through the scripture and the sermon and the music and the prayers and through God's Spirit moving amongst us we are reminded of God's unconditional love and forgiveness and we are reminded as we read in James1:17, “Every Good and Perfect Gift is from above, coming down from the Father.” All that we are and have are gifts from God. So we respond from a grateful heart, hopefully not out of obligation or guilt, but from a sincere thankful heart.On Sunday, October 6, during the worship service, we will pray for God's blessing upon our gifts, upon our lives, and upon our church. We will ask God to inspire our hearts to give, love and live abundantly in the name of Jesus.I pray you will join us!And All God's Children Said,“Amen.”Pastor Karen